Don't have an account?

Favorite Schools

Favorite Teams

Fairview Contractors of Lee cited by OSHA for safety violations in November workplace accident that killed roofer Francis Bona, 51

HFCT Scaffold Fea.JPG

The Occupational Safety and Safety Administration is citing a Lee contractor for a number of safety violations that contributed to the death of a worker in a November accident in Stockbridge
(Republican file )

STOCKBRIDGE - The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has determined that the death of a 51-year-old roofer, killed in a November workplace accident at a Main Street condominium, was attributable to his employer failing to provide proper safety measures at the job site, officials said.

An investigation by the Springfield-area office of OSHA office found the Nov. 14 death of Francis Bona of Lee in a fall at a job at 57 Main St., Stockbridge, could have been prevented if his employer, Fairview Contractors Inc. of Lee, properly used guardrails and fall protection at the site.

“This was a needless and avoidable loss of a workers life,” said Mary Hoye, OSHA area director for Central and Western Massachusetts. "While guardrails and fall-arrest systems were present at this work site, they were not used and were thus useless," she said.

An investigation found that four scaffolds at the site lacked guardrails, and employees working on the roof did not have fall-arrest systems. There were also no guardrails on walk boards that connected one scaffold to another, officials said.

OSHA also found the contractor filed to properly train workers about how to recognize safety hazards on scaffolding, roofs and ladders.

OSHA cited Fairview Contractors for two willful violations for the lack of fall protection and five serious violations for the remaining hazards.

A “willful violation” determination is given when OSHA investigators determine the employer intentionally and voluntarily disregarded safety requirements. A “serious violation” determination is given when there is “substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result.”

The company was also placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which requires follow-up inspections to make sure the company is complying with safety requirements.

Fairview Contractors faces fines of up to $119,350. The company has 15 business days to comply with the findings, to meet informally with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.